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Ⓚⓔⓝⓣ ⓂⓄⓂⒾ ⓟⓡⓔⓢⓔⓝⓣⓢ … ⒽⓄⓉ ⒷⓇⒾⓉⒶⒾⓃ (ⓐ ⓢⓔⓡⓘⓔⓢ ⓞⓕ ⓕⓘⓛⓜⓢ ⓐⓟⓟⓡⓞⓟⓡⓘⓐⓣⓔ ⓣⓞ ⓣⓗⓔ ⓢⓔⓐⓢⓞⓝ)Shot on location on Lindisfarne off the coast of Northumberland, and now considered a masterwork, Cul-de-sac was only the second of Polanski’s English-language feature films exploring themes of horror, frustrated sexuality and alienation, here enacted when two injured gangsters take refuge in the remote island castle of a young British couple in the North of England, spurring a series of mind games and violent altercations.
“It was a difficult shoot, with Polanski’s perfectionism bringing him into frequent conflict with producers, crew and cast alike. He openly loathed Stander, disliked Dorléac's film-star airs and was taken aback when Pleasence turned up for the first day's shooting with a freshly-shaven head. A virtuoso set-piece, a continuous eight-minute shot in which George and Richard run through various blackly comic parodies of relationship stages on the beach while Teresa swims nude in the background, was initially created out of expediency but ended up nearly killing his female lead, as the freezing water brought Dorléac close to hypothermia and the crew rebelled when he asked for a third take. But this on-set tension gave Cul-de-sac its constant jolts of electricity, and it remains Polanski's most unclassifiable and unpredictable film.” (Michael Brook, BFI)
Doors open 5.30, for drinks, nibbles & classic cocktails. Films start 6.30 with a brief introduction from the curators.
Entry is free with a yearly ticket, although we suggest a small donation of £5pp to help us keep the lights on. Yearly tickets can be purchased on the door (£7.50 adult / £6.00 concessions).
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Stanhope Road, CT14 6AD Deal, United Kingdom, 34 Stanhope Road, Deal, CT14 6AD, United Kingdom
Tickets
